Nagamalai Hills, Madurai
Nagamalai
Hills is located at the outskirts of Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamil
Nadu. Nagamalai means Snake Hills (Naga – Snake & Malai - Hill). Madurai
is surrounded by eight hillocks that once served to guard the city from
invading forces. Of these hills, three small but prominent hills (Yanaimalai, Pasumalai and Nagamalai – Elephant, Cow, and Snake Hill respectively) have several interesting
legends associated with them.
Samanar
Hills, is opposite to Nagamalai, is of
historical importance. Samanars (Tamil
Jain) were said to have stayed on the hill, fearing
persecution from the then rulers of Madurai. Many stone statues and other
artifacts are present in Nagamalai. Nagamalai is also known for its snake
biodiversity, and a government proposal is in the works for creating an ecotourism snake park in the area.
The top
of the hill consists of naturally formed rocks which resemble the form of
a crocodile. Even
though there is no water source at the top of the hill, it has a permanent flow
of water on one side at Puluthu, which is an herbal water which can be directly
drunk. There is Nageswarar Temple and Naga Theertham in Nagamalai Hills. This
Temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Naga Doshams.
Nagamalai
is situated on Madurai – Theni highway. Nagamalai is located at about 3 Kms from Melakkal,
5 Kms from Thiruvedagam, 19 Kms from Madurai, 18 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus
Stand, 23 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 17 Kms from Madurai
Railway Junction and 32 Kms from Madurai International Airport.
